MOFILM video contest

MOFILM.com is an organization that brings filmmakers to large coorporations. Every year they hold several contests that allow people to compete from all across the globe. The objective is basically to create an ad for a brand by using the supplied information about the company. You must consider the companie's objective, goals and creative strategy. The winners of the contest recieve cash prizes, and are usually invited to an awards ceremony. Recent competitions have involved the likes of John Landau and Spike Lee, so you can see how beneficial this could be to anyone involved on the project.

I really like the idea of the MOFILM. I also love that it is not an annual event, but rather several throughout the year and channeled through many different organizations, such as Cannes, BFI and Shanghai International. This is a big deal! Some of the prizes, such as the $2000 awarded to Matt O'Dowd's team for his Walmart commercial, seem a bit sub par compared to the industry standard, but they did get an all expenses paid trip out to LA Film school. Part of me sais this is just another way for coorporations to get commercial work for cheap, but the level of exposure you get in return may make it well worth it. The UK originated MOFILM is already among the top visited sites in Great Britain, and is rising fast in the US. The top three entries are awarded.

How to view TIFF images on Windows XP

When nitpicking and culling images from my shoots, I tend to immediately categorize all the groups to stay organized and make it easy to reference each client. One convenient way to view images on a Windows system is using the "Filmstrip" feature when in Windows Explorer (Finder on a Mac). The problem is that sometimes XP will not recognize a folder as a file that contains images. If XP does not think that images are present, it will not give you the option to view as a filmstrip [View>Filmstrip].
If this is the case, you can simply right-click on the folder and select Properties. Then navigate to the Customize tab and select the "pictures" template from the dropdown box. Hit ENTER and proceed to the folder. Now when you select [View] you will notice that the Filmstrip option is now available.

Working with TIFF images?
Another plus about the Filmstrip view is that it allows you to view your TIFF images without the need for opening Bridge.

VEVO is the FLU shot

This is the VEVO logo ==> VEVO

Many have noticed that "VEVO" seems to be taking over the music video scene on YouTube. Many users are upset at this as it is a distracting change in normal browsing experience, forces you to view advertisements and many have been banned for copyright cases.

But this is actually good for 3 reasons,
1) It takes away from the tendency of labels to nag about their videos on users channels
2) It gets the power-ego-trippers at Viacom off their back
3) Normal users don't care about the change, advanced users care enough to research the reasoning, and hackers that only upload a bunch of other people's videos are removed! Oh and labels make money. Everyone wins.

How?
If you remember in 2008, Viacom filed a lawsuit against YouTube for copyright infringement of some 100,000 videos. It became so unconscionable that during the case, Viacom requested the viewing habits of the users as well as YouTube's source code. What? The movements were denied. I am sure that VEVO was a result of an agreement made to the case, and honestly, it's quite brilliant. I am also sure that the banning of copyright infringing users was a result.

VEVO is actually a partnership between YouTube and three of the "Big Four" record companies (perhaps the ones that chimed in on the case in favor of Viacom?). Now, anytime an artist's video is released, it is on the respective VEVO channel. It also added some functionality recently added to Myspace, the ability to purchase songs through Amazon and iTunes.

So you see, VEVO is kind of like the FLU shot; it sucks to get it, it hurts, but once it's over you reap the benefit (though the pain has already came and gone). VEVO = good.

Interesting fact: In 2009, VEVO officially launched it's own site of industry-related performances, hosted on YouTube. It currently ranks among the top 1000 most visited websites in the US.

A Jordyn Photoshoot

This morning I had the pleasure of working with A Jordyn of Brooklyn, NY. She loves to model and has an undeniable passion for art. For the past two years she has been a tattoo artist, and is currently attending school seeking her Masters. One great thing about working with Jordyn is that she enjoys the beauty of nature, and interacts with the environment [just keep the squirrels away]! She is the type of person that when she is out, she gets noticed. She has her own look, and if you are in the same room with her, you are probably going to have some type of conversation and you are guaranteed to share a smile. She was featured in the Duroseau Couture Fashion Show in 2008.

Youtube Beta-Testing Charging for Videos

I was cruising the web today and ended up on the site I end up on at least once a week, YouTube. I always go here to watch others music videos, also to watch my previous videos and note any progression. I think of it as studying. Recently, I started browsing the "Top Videos" section on the homepage, and today that landed me on hotforwords' channel. In the description, [and after realizing how hot this girl is] I noticed in bold letters "USD $0.99.

At first, I thought "huh, is she charging you to participate in the contest?" I clicked on the description and that revealed a link in which to download an .mp4 of the video. Then it clicked, YouTube is now charging people to download their videos. And wait, they probably give the partners a cut and it allows everyone to generate more revenue. Brilliant! Well, not really, it's just basic marketing. Their are obvious benefits to doing this, the main probably being to help control illegal downloads by offering a legal solution *cough* to make more $$$ *cough*

Apparently the option is only available to a limited group of publishers, just as they have run their beta tests in the past. The publisher may choose the cost and license type upon initiating the service. Google Checkout is used for making payments.

I suspect the system will officially roll out this Summer (I do not have any information to support this).

This is the video I originally saw with the option:

Apollo 11 Saturn V Launch

I was updating my twitter and ran across this awesome tweet by @petapixel. Absolutely stunning footage from the 1969 launch of Apollo 11. The footage was originally shot on 16mm film. 500 frames of history captured every in every second! More at spacecraftfilms.com

Apples Next iPhone

image courtesy Gizmodo

The internet is once again in a [technology] worldwind. The latest a tech-story: being the "discovery" of Apples new iPhone. Chatters began about the mystical device with it's front-mounted, video chat enabled camera not long after the release of the popular 3Gs. According to Gizmodo, the device was found recently, initially appearing to be an iPhone 3Gs, but upon further inspection, it was determined this is something far different. Some possible changes to the device include front/rear mounted cameras, higher resolution screen and larger battery pack. Head over to Gizmodo.com to read the full article.